Alanna Durkin Richer
FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2018, file photo, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia talks to reporters during a press conference at the Fall River Government Center in Fall River, Mass. Correia, first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur, was convicted Friday, May 14, 2021, of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. (Dave Souza/The Herald News of Fall River via AP, File) May 14, 2021 - 1:22 PM
BOSTON (AP) â A former Massachusetts mayor first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur was convicted Friday of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city.
The prosecution described the former mayor as a shameless liar who betrayed trusting investors and abused the power of his office in order to fund his lavish lifestyle and shower his then-girlfriend with expensive gifts.
In this Sept. 6, 2019 file photo, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, left, speaks outside the federal courthouse in Boston after his appearance on bribery, extortion and fraud charges. (Philip Marcelo/AP)
Lawyers made their final pitch to jurors Monday in the fraud and corruption case against a once-celebrated young Massachusetts mayor, painting contrasting pictures of a shrewd con man driven by greed to line his own pockets or a victim of lies who never committed a crime.
After two weeks of testimony in Boston s federal court, jurors will decide whether former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, 29, is guilty of stealing from investors who backed his smartphone app and extorting tens of thousands of dollars from marijuana businesses who wanted to operate in the city.
Ex-mayor’s corruption case in hands of jurors
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia speaks outside the federal courthouse in Boston, Sept. 6, 2019. AP FILE PHOTO
FILE In this Oct. 16, 2018 file photo, Mayor Jasiel Correia holds his five page speech that he decided not to read about his indictment during a news conference held at the Fall River Government Center, in Fall River, Mass. Closing arguments were presented Monday, May 10, 2021 in the former mayor s trial in federal court in Boston. Correia is charged with stealing about two-thirds of almost $400,000 from seven investors who backed his app called SnoOwl. As mayor, authorities say he. David Souza